Mods/Upgrades while waiting out social distancing . Please share yours.

WilliamA · April 2020

It's probably safe to say, I'm a bit harder on my trailer than most. I'll take it, behind my Jeep, most anywhere it'll fit. So my recommendation, if you are looking for some maintenance chores to keep you busy, is to crawl under your trailer with a can or tube of antisieze and coat a dab on the exposed threads of bolts. This is more important if you live (Wisconsin) where road crews use lots of salt. While you're under there, grab a handful of zip ties and tidy up all the various cables, wires and hoses. I think I probably have 30 lbs of them under there by now and still, things loosen up and snag on stuff.
Looky looky, check checky....
WilliamA

JeffroNC · April 2020

Here are some things I have done both before and after our trip.
We added a memory foam topper but in order to access the storage under the bed, we cut it into three pieces. Then we used crib sheets to keep them in place. We use an RV Superbag for our bedding which has been great. We really don't notice the seams.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/7f/89rttyp3idas.jpg

I moved the shower curtain from behind the toilet. Because I like to stand when using it. :-)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/bf/znp2u91b3njr.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/hr/5dxl5nwsw4py.jpg

I put shelves in the closet. Netting from Organized Obie will be here tomorrow. The vacuum is on its charger base, plugged into the 110 outlet in the cubby by the bed.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/fa/ycjhgcvsqgir.jpg

One of these switches turn off the TV and radio as well as the 5-volt supply I installed behind the television to power my Fire Stick and Raspberry Pi media server. The other one controls the power supply I use for my CPAP. It converts 12 volts to the 24 volts needed by the unit. With the humidifier off, it only draws 12 watts.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/ei/ivmg6p2vylq3.jpg

Finally, I installed some 12 volt sockets under the driver side seat to connect my laptop 12 volt adapter and charge devices when dry camping. I had great luck finding the wires that run to the 12 volt panel by the sink. This is a much better location. In hind site, I could have moved them down a few inches to prevent interference with the table in its low position. I don't envision ever using that feature. A lagun table is my next project.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/yg/cpkizv1sl7g0.jpg

I have learned a lot from the group and I hope somebody can use these.

DenisP · April 2020

@JeffroNC nice mods. I was in my 400 reading your post and really liked the shower curtain mod. It took a few minutes and it opens up the toilet area considerably. I never liked being engulfed with a damp shower curtain (or even a dry one) while using the head.

We just opted for a 8” Zinus full size mattress to replace our original mattresses and a 3” topper which served us well for over 100 nights. I like your three piece solution for the topper as a one piece has its’ disadvantages as we use the under bed storage frequently.

JeffroNC · April 2020

@DenisP Thanks. We were planning for a six month trip so we were using winter clothes and had summer clothes and motorcycle gear stored under the bed. We really needed access to that space.

Bayliss · April 2020

I added the Boondock Tub aluminum spare tire carrier and a gas assist strut for the tub lid. Both were easy installs. However, MUCH TO MY DISMAY, after I had mounted the tire carrier I discovered that the Boondock wheel and tire could not be removed due to inadequate spacing between the carrier and my Jack-It bike carrier tower. I had not even considered that possibility, so it definitely ruined my day. I made a valiant attempt to make it work by moving the tub as far back as I could, but I still came up about 1/2" short. Fortunately, I plugged the two mounting holes on the tub with a couple plastic hole plugs and it looks fine. Regardless, LESSON LEARNED........if you happen to have the Bike-It carrier, don't add the nüCamp tire carrier to your aluminum tub. [SIDE NOTE: the tire carrier is very nice..............I am totally bummed.]

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/dq/wpl63h44n1ld.jpg

Bayliss · April 2020

While I was working on the above modifications, my wife spent a couple days applying "RoomMates" faux wood decals on the interior side walls of our 320S. It took six boxes to do the job and she took her time lining everything up and cutting all the curved edges neatly. We are very happy with the final result.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/az/4svcgv2uqgdq.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/re/tnyqy1i3s7z9.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/2b/hmcetabu1bvz.jpg

jkjenn · April 2020

Bayliss said:

I added the Boondock Tub aluminum spare tire carrier and a gas assist strut for the tub lid. Both were easy installs. However, MUCH TO MY DISMAY, after I had mounted the tire carrier I discovered that the Boondock wheel and tire could not be removed due to inadequate spacing between the carrier and my Jack-It bike carrier tower. I had not even considered that possibility, so it definitely ruined my day. I made a valiant attempt to make it work by moving the tub as far back as I could, but I still came up about 1/2" short. Fortunately, I plugged the two mounting holes on the tub with a couple plastic hole plugs and it looks fine. Regardless, LESSON LEARNED........if you happen to have the Bike-It carrier, don't add the nüCamp tire carrier to your aluminum tub. [SIDE NOTE: the tire carrier is very nice..............I am totally bummed.]

Very interesting. This is the first I have seen this issue mentioned. Any chance you took other photos that illustrate this?

Bayliss · April 2020

@jkjenn, I have a separate post on what the tire carrier looks like, but the only thing I would have been able to photograph (but didn't......too frustrated) was the lack of clearance between the carrier lug bolts and the wheel rim. It was soooooooooooo close once I moved the tub back as far as I could, but not close enough. No matter which angle I tried to remove the wheel, the carrier lugs blocked the wheel from being removed. It would not have been an issue with the standard size spare, but the Boondock wheel and tire are just too wide. Actually, it is the width of the rubber tire itself that caused the problem, because it pushed up against the Bike-It tower and blocked me from being able to turn the tire and wheel combination to get around the lugs. As I said, a total bummer.

jkjenn · April 2020

Bayliss said:

@jkjenn, I have a separate post on what the tire carrier looks like, but the only thing I would have been able to photograph (but didn't......too frustrated) was the lack of clearance between the carrier lug bolts and the wheel rim. It was soooooooooooo close once I moved the tub back as far as I could, but not close enough. No matter which angle I tried to remove the wheel, the carrier lugs blocked the wheel from being removed. It would not have been an issue with the standard size spare, but the Boondock wheel and tire are just too wide. Actually, it is the width of the rubber tire itself that caused the problem, because it pushed up against the Bike-It tower and blocked me from being able to turn the tire and wheel combination to get around the lugs. As I said, a total bummer.

Thanks. The new aluminum tub is wider from left to right but I think it might not come out as far towards the tip of the tongue so I wonder if that will make a difference on the 2021 models?

Bayliss · April 2020

@jkjenn, I have wondered the same thing. I suspect that my configuration (with the "Jack-It" bike carrier tower) may have worked with the newer tub, because, as you have suggested, it appears to be wider side-to-side and may not stick out quite as far as the original aluminum tub.

Deb55 · April 2020

@jameskuzman all I can say about the Maxxair fan so far is that it works as it's supposed to. Since there's no camping anywhere, and we're still getting some snow, I haven't done more than test it out. I do love the remote since I'm pretty short, and the fact that it can operate in the rain is a huge plus. We're hoping that the draw on the battery is less than the Fantastic Fan since we don't have any solar--that's the next project for sometime soon, I hope!

4ncar · April 2020

@Cbusguy: where did you get the smart shunt from? I have looked online, and some dealers are stating “preorder “ w it’s August delivery!😳 I want to get this installed now! Lol

BirdieJane · April 2020

Tab 400 Faucet mod

Cbusguy · April 2020

@4ncar Hodges marine.......checked their website and it shows back ordered.

4ncar · April 2020

Cbusguy said:

@4ncar Hodges marine.......checked their website and it shows back ordered.

🤬

jkjenn · April 2020

4ncar said:

Cbusguy said:

@4ncar Hodges marine.......checked their website and it shows back ordered.

🤬

Bay Marine also carries it: https://baymarinesupply.com/victron-smartshunt-battery-monitor.html

I have ordered from them and had good service.

Michael49 · April 2020

BirdieJane said:

Tab 400 Faucet mod

Do you mind sharing what faucet you used and how you did this? I have been considering changing out to a pull down style faucet, but I had planned to make a hole for the faucet to the right of the sink (there isn’t really room behind the sink for installation underneath) and then eventually replacing the sink.....but your mod looks much easier

!! I assume you made the wood cover - beautiful work.

Michael49 · April 2020

1. Just replaced the Fantastic fan in our 400 with a Maxxair fan - love it.

2. Oxygenics shower head - super easy, haven’t had a chance to check it out yet though - still winterized

3. Lagun table mount in our 400 with custom table and a little side table.....(I stole the idea from Verna here

).....

BirdieJane · April 2020

Michael49

AguaStella AS1010BN Brushed Nickel Bar Faucet or Prep Kitchen Sink Faucet with Single Handle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QK4VFRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_K03MEb7YK09SQ

This is the link to the faucet, the hole in your sink fits it. A little tricky removing the hinges on the current glass cover,

casadesaraymatt · April 2020

@BirdieJane Do you have any pics without the cutting board in place? Curious how the new faucet looks mounted where the old one was. We've been wanting to do exactly this, but was curious if a "normal" faucet would work.

rh5555 · April 2020

If you want to keep your existing sink cover, this faucet upgrade works well.

Details here: https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/125783/#Comment_125783

BirdieJane · April 2020

casadesaraymatt

here you go!

Edited for photo size.

Michael49 · April 2020

BirdieJane said:

Michael49

AguaStella AS1010BN Brushed Nickel Bar Faucet or Prep Kitchen Sink Faucet with Single Handle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QK4VFRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_K03MEb7YK09SQ

This is the link to the faucet, the hole in your sink fits it. A little tricky removing the hinges on the current glass cover,

Thanks so much - and I see they even make a pull down version!

Any tips on removing those hinges?

Any special connectors for hooking up the plumbing?

BirdieJane · April 2020

Michael49

To remove the hinges you need to remove the sink. 4 screws on top of the sink, unthread the drain at the base of the sink. Then disconnect the hot and cold water lines. Remove the glass top from the hinges. Now you must remove the original faucet. I found this difficult without damaging the hot and cold attachments at the base of the faucet. If you can get the PEX fittings apart it should come out, if not the hot or cold nipple will break off and it will come out.

Now for the hinges, each hinge is installed complete with 2 rivets. The rivets need to remain so your sink does not leak. So you need to remove 2 screws with nuts and 2 springs each side of the riveted hinge frame. Once these are removed you will need to flex the hinge to remove it from the hinge pass through opening. You should pad between the hinge and sink and flex the hinge so it bends enough to slide out the hinge opening. Once both are out you are ready to install the faucet.

You will need 2 double male 3/8 compression fitting nipples, and a short 3/8 female to 1/2 female hot and cold line. These will connect between the faucet plumbing and the Tab plumbing.

Hope this was helpful, sorry to ramble.